FIX: Even though the Distribution Agent successfully reapplies a batch of failed commands, you still receive error message 20046 that indicates that the Distribution Agent failed in a SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2008 transactional replication

Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2005 fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2005 fix release.

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:

In Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or in Microsoft SQL Server 2008, you configure a transactional replication.

The Distribution Agent encounters an error when it applies a batch of commands at the subscriber.

The Distribution Agent reapplies the failed commands successfully.

In this scenario, you receive error message 20046 that indicates that the Distribution Agent failed even though the failed commands are reapplied successfully. Additionally, the following error messages are logged in the Distribution Agent log:

Note The Distribution Agent reapplies the failed commands by performing a multistream retry attempt or several regular stream retry attempts. This problem may occur when either of these retry attempts is performed. However, this problem occurs more frequently when a multistream retry attempt is performed because multistream retry attempts succeed more frequently.

CAUSE

The Distribution Agent incorrectly reports a failure even though the failed commands are reapplied successfully.

RESOLUTION

SQL Server 2005

The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 7 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3. For more information about this cumulative update package, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2005 fix release. Microsoft recommends that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

960598 The SQL Server 2005 builds that were released after SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 was released

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 hotfixes are created for specific SQL Server service packs. You must apply a SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 hotfix to an installation of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3. By default, any hotfix that is provided in a SQL Server service pack is included in the next SQL Server service pack.

SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 7 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. For more information about this cumulative update package, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 fix release. We recommend that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

970365 The SQL Server 2008 builds that were released after SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 was released

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 hotfixes are created for specific SQL Server service packs. You must apply a SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 hotfix to an installation of SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. By default, any hotfix that is provided in a SQL Server service pack is included in the next SQL Server service pack.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Incremental Servicing Model for SQL Server, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

935897 An Incremental Servicing Model is available from the SQL Server team to deliver hotfixes for reported problems

For more information about how to obtain SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: